NFL's top 25 games of 2024

Wed May 15 2:01pm ET
Field Level Media

Christmas Day for NFL marketing and ticket sales departments finally arrived Wednesday with the release of the 2024 season schedule.

With subplots and peripheral angles multiplying before our eyes - hello, Netflix, welcome to NFL holiday football broadcasts - Field Level Media's football-minded contributors assembled the top 25 games of 2024.

24. Cardinals at Jets, TBD: We're grabbing our popcorn for one matchup, and one matchup alone: Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner. Top five draft picks likely to be near the top of the pecking order at their position for a decade.

23. Colts at Patriots, TBD: Drake Maye, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft, meet Anthony Richardson, drafted fourth overall in 2023. Indianapolis appeared to have a hit on its hands before Richardson was shut down to undergo shoulder surgery. If he can stay healthy and Maye isn't relegated to clipboard duty behind former Colts starter Jacoby Brissett, we're eager to make early evaluations of purported franchise QBs.

22. Jaguars at Eagles, TBD: Young QBs and strong pass rush are common bonds, sure, but the plotline we're looking at is the reception for Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson. He played for the Eagles (1999) but was essentially a coach-in-training for Donovan McNabb, then served as an assistant for Andy Reid and came back from a stint in KC for a five-year run that included a Super Bowl.

21. Bears at Texans, TBD: The Bears also get a meeting with the Carolina Panthers for the second consecutive season. With all due respect to Panthers 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young, the top rookie quarterback last season was Houston's C.J. Stroud. His numbers would have been the best ever single-season passing total for a Bears QB (4,108 to Erik Kramer's team record of 3,803). Stroud had 26 TD passes including the playoffs despite missing time with a concussion). The Bears hitched their wagon to No. 1 pick Caleb Williams with the rookie carrying massive talent - and expectations - in Year 1.

20. Vikings at Giants, TBD: All of the QB uncertainty one can handle on the undercard, LSU products Justin Jefferson (Vikings) and Malik Nabers (Giants) in the main event.

19. 49ers at Seahawks, TBD: Maybe you overlooked it. There's not a chance Brock Purdy did. He knows new Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald's defense - that of the Ravens - had him seeing ghosts in a five-interception laugher on Christmas Night last season. Macdonald's new club has a bunch of cross-training chess pieces determined to unseat the 49ers from the NFC West perch.

18. Jets at 49ers, Sept. 9: Week 1 on "Monday Night Football" is a familiar refrain for the Jets, who are hoping Aaron Rodgers has some magic left following a season-ending injury four snaps into his first start with the team in 2023. Rodgers is local - Chico, Calif., Butte JC and Cal - and went 6-3 against the 49ers with the Packers. Now 40 years old, he'll try to tip the scales toward the Jets, who are 3-11 all-time in the series with San Francisco. Jets head coach Robert Saleh has known 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan since breaking into the NFL as a low-level assistant with the Texans 15 years ago and was defensive coordinator on his staff before taking over with the Jets.

17. Cowboys at Commanders, TBD: Dan Quinn gets his second chance as a head coach in Washington and to be the champ in the NFC East, he'll have to take down his previous employer and boss, the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy. Given the amount of time Quinn spent with McCarthy and Dak Prescott, don't discount the level of concern the Cowboys have entering two games with Washington.

16. Eagles vs. Packers (Brazil), Sept. 6: The youngest roster in the NFL last season belonged to the Packers, and nobody can fault what Green Bay did in the offseason. Head coach Matt LaFleur debuts his offense with Josh Jacobs at running back and a new-look defense. It'll also be a big reveal game for the Eagles, unleashing their own big-ticket offseason item, Saquon Barkley, and a number of new faces on defense.

15. Falcons at Vikings, TBD: Welcome back, Kirk Cousins, congratulations on finding a team that didn't want to invest in a young quarterback to insure its $100M guarantee to a 35-year-old starter coming off an Achilles injury. Oops. Cousins could be hailed or hated for bailing on the Vikings in free agency following 50 regular-season wins in six seasons of Skol-ing.

14. Ravens at Chargers, TBD: Los Angeles and new hire Jim Harbaugh welcome John Harbaugh and the Ravens with entertainment expected to be rich before, during and after a matchup of AFC heavyweights. John Harbaugh won the last meeting and survived a brief power outage at the Super Bowl in New Orleans to take home the Lombardi and deal Jim's 49ers a painful defeat.

13. Steelers at Broncos, Week 2: Revenge games bring out the spirit and emotion you might not otherwise find in games that don't include Mike Tomlin. Pittsburgh picked up Russell Wilson after he was scrapped at a cost north of $80 million to Denver by second-year head coach Sean Payton. Payton, of course, is still in town and brought in a rookie, Oregon's Bo Nix, to train in the system that helped make Drew Brees a legend. Don't look now, but Pittsburgh had a sneaky excellent offseason while the Broncos shed leaders and linchpins on both sides of the ball (Wilson, Justin Simmons, Jerry Jeudy). If reunions are your thing, Payton also heads back to New Orleans this season.

12. Jets at Bills, Week 17: We know they'll get an earlier go at each other on "Monday Night Football" In October, but let's give the season time to breath and Aaron Rodgers time to round back into form. He'll be recently removed from his 41st birthday but should know the names of all of his wide receivers, a task Josh Allen might need more time to complete.

11. Ravens at Cowboys, TBD: Dak Prescott was great at home last season and Dallas fortified the offensive line through the draft. Whether new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has an answer for mobile quarterbacks - namely Lamar Jackson - might be the hot-button issue for the Cowboys. Baltimore's No. 1-ranked defense in 2023 also traveled well last season, battering Brock Purdy, Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert and limiting those three teams to a combined 36 points in Ravens' road wins.

10. 49ers at Packers, Nov. 24: Week 12 and the start of a pivotal, NFC-dominated, primetime featured stretch for Green Bay with nighttime marquee matchups at Detroit (Week 14) and Seattle (Week 15) ahead. Jordan Love's two interceptions stopped the Packers short of an upset at San Francisco in the divisional playoffs in January.

9. Texans at Cowboys, TBD: C.J. Stroud appears to be special and the Texans made sure his supporting cast wouldn't be a reason for a sophomore slump. But one warning: only the Bills and Patriots have a more difficult schedule based on 2023 results and offseason moves. Among the appealing underlying matchups: Houston wide receiver Stefon Diggs vs. Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs.

8. Bears at Packers, Jan. 5: The Week 18 finale was meaningful for Green Bay last season, and Jordan Love guided the Packers into the postseason to sweep the Bears and continue the trend Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers started. No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams makes his first foray into the likely frozen tundra. Will the Bears be playing for more than a spoiler token?

7. Dolphins at 49ers, TBD: It was Dec. 4, 2022, and far more meaningful than we knew at the time when a seventh-round rookie - 49ers QB Brock Purdy - made his first career start with two TD passes in a 33-17 home win over the Miami Dolphins. Back to the scene come the Dolphins with former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel a solid bet to share some unknown intel about old boss Kyle Shanahan in the game week buildup.

6. Ravens at Chiefs, Sept. 5: Had this one been bumped back a couple months to multiply the meaningfulness in the standings and AFC playoff picture, it had an angle on a top three game of the 2024 regular season. Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes remains must-see for all the right reasons.

5. 49ers at Bills, Dec. 4: The week-after-Thanksgiving primetime game on Sunday of Week 13 should be meaningful for teams with Super Bowl aspirations.

4. Rams at Lions, TBD: Two franchises on schedule to combine for more than $350 million in deposits into Jared Goff's bank account are back at it with Detroit out to duplicate their playoff win in January over one-time Lions QB Matthew Stafford.

3. Ravens at Eagles, TBD: Star power on display? Check-check. Potential Super Bowl preview? Sure thing. Saquon Barkley (Eagles) and Derrick Henry (Ravens) add firepower to a pair of offenses with explosive potential.

2. Lions at 49ers, TBD: Other than tackle eligible, think of another phrase that could spike Dan Campbell's temperature more than "at San Francisco." Didn't think so. The Lions were halfway to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl leading the 49ers handily in the NFC Championship but coughed up a 17-point lead and bowed out of the playoffs in a 34-31 defeat instead. If Campbell circled this game on the schedule in ink, we're guessing you can't read it.

1. (tie) Chiefs at 49ers, TBD: Familiar enough to be rivals, the Chiefs left with the jewels in recent games that really mattered between teams with a combined 50-18 record the past two regular seasons. San Francisco took a lashing from the Chiefs, 44-23, at home in Oct. 23 before the dawning of the Brock Purdy era.

1. (tie) Bengals at Chiefs, TBD: Don't forget Joe Burrow, he's more than the highest-paid player in 2024. The Bengals quarterback is 3-1 against the Chiefs but was sidelined with a broken wrist when the teams played in 2023. Don't look for a warm reception in Kansas City, where fans aren't soon to forget Burrow's boys calling the Chiefs' stadium "Burrow-head" based on his success at the home of Patrick Mahomes.

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The Paur Report

Value Picks: Week 12

Player Notes
Stefon Diggs Nov 23 5:10pm CT
Stefon Diggs

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs caught just two of three targets for 20 yards during Sunday's Week 12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. His underwhelming performance was likely the result of Drake Maye funneling a large portion of his pass attempts to the tight end position. Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper combined for 10 catches, 154 yards, and one touchdown against a Bengals defense notorious for getting exposed by tight ends. Diggs saw his streak of five double-digit fantasy performances (PPR) come to an end on Sunday afternoon, but he's still a mid-range WR2 in terms of scoring this year. He should continue to be started in most leagues ahead of Week 13 against the New York Giants.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Nov 23 5:10pm CT
Drake Maye

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 22 of his 35 pass attempts for 294 yards, one touchdown, and one interception during Sunday's Week 12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He also rushed for 22 yards and took a sack. Maye wasn't able to rack up high-end fantasy scoring, but his significant yardage total and strong final three quarters helped New England cruise to its ninth consecutive victory. The Patriots are the first team to 10 wins and have sole possession of first place in the entire NFL, largely thanks to Maye's spectacular season. Even though Sunday's outing didn't set the world on fire, his track record indicates that he should have no trouble bouncing back as a strong QB1 option against a subpar Giants defense in Week 13.

From RotoBaller

Emanuel Wilson Nov 23 5:00pm CT
Emanuel Wilson

Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson had 28 carries for 107 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 12 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He also caught each of his two targets for an additional 18 receiving yards. Wilson was very impressive was handling a large workload on Sunday. With Josh Jacobs (knee) sidelined, he accounted for 78% of the backfield's rushing attempts. The 26-year-old's ability to be efficient while handling heavy volume should earn him more opportunities going forward, even if Jacobs returns to action next week. The Packers face the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, giving Jacobs four days to recover. If the veteran back suits up, Wilson could still carve out standalone value as an RB3/flex. If Jacobs misses a second consecutive game, though, the Fort Valley State product could jump to the high-end RB2 tier against Detroit.

From RotoBaller

Michael Mayer Nov 23 5:00pm CT
Michael Mayer

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 12 contest against the Cleveland Browns. He exited during the first half and was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out. He finishes the game with one catch for 14 yards. Mayer impressed earlier this season while filling in for the injured Brock Bowers, but ever since Bowers returned, Mayer has not been a fantasy scoring threat. Ian Thomas will step up as Vegas' No. 2 tight end behind Bowers.

From RotoBaller

Hunter Henry Nov 23 5:00pm CT
Hunter Henry

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry caught seven of his 10 targets for 115 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. It's no secret that Cincinnati is the worst team in the NFL when it comes to defending opposing tight ends, and Henry capitalized on this favorable matchup. The veteran entered this week as the overall TE13 in PPR leagues, but he jumped all the way into the top five on Sunday afternoon. He's unlikely to replicate this outing next Thursday against the New York Giants, but he's still worth starting as a low-end TE1 in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

TreVeyon Henderson Nov 23 4:50pm CT
TreVeyon Henderson

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson rushed for 66 yards on 18 carries during Sunday's Week 12 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. He also caught three of his four targets for an additional 15 receiving yards. There was some concern about Henderson's role with Rhamondre Stevenson returning from injury. While Stevenson did earn some touches, Henderson remained the primary running back. Now that he has the lead role all to himself, the rookie needs to turn his attention to improving his efficiency. He averaged 3.7 yards per carry on Sunday, just one game removed from averaging 3.3 yards per carry against the Jets. If he can improve his scoring or yardage efficiency, he can be an RB1 going forward. In the meantime, he ranks as more of a mid-range RB2 for Week 13 against the New York Giants.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Nov 23 4:50pm CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) exited during the first half of Sunday's Week 12 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. He is officially listed as questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had three carries for 11 rushing yards, plus two catches for an additional four receiving yards. The dual-threat back is just one game removed from a 14.5-point (PPR) showing, but he'll need to get back on the field this Sunday if he wants to replicate that performance. With Kamara sidelined and Kendre Miller (knee) on IR, Devin Neal will step up as the Saints' primary running back for the time being.

From RotoBaller

Wan'Dale Robinson Nov 23 4:40pm CT
Wan'Dale Robinson

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson caught nine of his 14 targets for 156 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's Week 12 overtime loss against the Detroit Lions. Jameis Winston quarterbacked the Giants again this week, and his gunslinger style of play allowed the young receiver to rack up a whopping 156 yards through the air. The 24-year-old pass catcher has been quite impressive as the de facto No. 1 receiver in Malik Nabers' absence, ranking as the overall WR17 in the eight weeks since Nabers went down. Robinson's ceiling may decline a little next week when Jaxson Dart (concussion) returns under center, but Dart still has the passing skills needed to keep Robinson in the WR2 tier. He should continue to be started in most leagues as he takes on the New England Patriots in Week 13.

From RotoBaller

Jameis Winston Nov 23 4:30pm CT
Jameis Winston

New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston completed 18 of his 36 pass attempts for 366 yards, two passing touchdowns, and one interception during Sunday's Week 12 win over the Detroit Lions. He also got involved in some trickery, adding a third touchdown on a 33-yard reception that was thrown to him by wide receiver Gunner Olszewski. Winston's turnover and low completion rate were unfortunate, but his high yardage and three total touchdowns made him a valuable fantasy option once again. Unfortunately for fantasy managers who were relying on him as a streamer, Winston will head back to the bench in Week 13 if Jaxson Dart (concussion) clears concussion protocol, as expected. The offense belongs to Dart once again, but at least we've seen that Winston can be a fringe top-12 fantasy quarterback if he ever gets thrust back into the starting role.

From RotoBaller

Jahmyr Gibbs Nov 23 4:20pm CT
Jahmyr Gibbs

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs had 15 carries for 219 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 12 overtime victory over the New York Giants. He also caught 11 of 12 targets for an additional 45 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. The 23-year-old enjoyed one of the most memorable games of his young career, amassing more than 55 fantasy points in PPR leagues and helping Detroit secure an overtime victory. The highlights of Gibbs' games were a 49-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter and a 69-yard rushing touchdown in overtime. He will remain a spectacular high-end RB1 option against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day in Week 13.

From RotoBaller

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Nov 23 4:20pm CT
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught eight of his 10 targets for 167 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's Week 12 win against the Tennessee Titans. He also had a four-yard rush. The 23-year-old entered this week as the overall WR1 in PPR leagues, and he only widened the gap between himself and every other receiver with Sunday's explosion. The 23-year-old now has at least 20 fantasy points (PPR) in each of his last seven games, as well as nine of 11 games this season. It goes without saying that Smith-Njigba should be viewed as a must-start WR1 for Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Nov 23 3:40pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that he expects quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) to play in next Sunday's Week 13 contest against the Buffalo Bills. Although Rodgers sat out this week's loss against the Chicago Bears, it sounds like his absence will last just one game. He was reportedly pushing to play against the Bears in Week 12, but the Steelers' medical personnel ultimately held him out. The veteran quarterback is 6-4 this season with 19 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions, ranking as the overall QB17 in fantasy football. Assuming he doesn't suffer any sort of setbacks within the next week, Rodgers should suit up against Buffalo, ranking as a mid-to-high QB2 in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Justin Jefferson Nov 23 3:20pm CT
Justin Jefferson

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson finished Sunday with four catches on six targets for 48 receiving yards in a 23-6 loss at Green Bay. The superstar receiver once again was hampered by a horrible offensive performance overall, as Minnesota gained 145 total yards as a team. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy finished 12-for-19 passing for 89 with two interceptions as the Vikings managed to run only 45 total plays. Jefferson still led the team in receiving, but that didn't say much on a day in which Minnesota gained four yards in the second half. Fantasy managers will have to hope the Vikings can turn the corner, and quickly, as the team travels to Seattle in Week 13.

From RotoBaller

Noah Gray Nov 23 3:20pm CT
Noah Gray

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray (head) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 12 contest against the Indianapolis Colts. He has entered concussion protocol and is questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had caught three of his four targets for 25 receiving yards. Gray will be evaluated as medical personnel assess whether he's experiencing the symptoms of a concussion. If a concussion is confirmed, Gray would automatically be ruled out, and he'd likely miss Thursday's game against the Cowboys, too. In the meantime, Robert Tonyan will step up as the Chiefs' No. 2 tight end behind Travis Kelce.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Nov 23 3:20pm CT
Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. finished Sunday with 41 yards on nine carries and caught three of four targets for 19 yards as the Vikings lost convincingly, 23-6, on Sunday at Green Bay. Jones did well enough in his limited usage, but the Vikings ran only 45 plays and gained 145 total yards, which included a total of four yards in the second half. Minnesota surrendered five sacks, quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw two more interceptions without a touchdown, and the Vikings committed a special teams turnover that doomed the day. Fantasy managers still got something from Jones, even on an awful day, which is the closest thing to a silver lining the Vikings have at the moment. Minnesota will travel to Seattle in Week 13.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Addison Nov 23 3:10pm CT
Jordan Addison

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison did not record a catch and saw only one target as the Vikings lost 23-6 on Sunday at Green Bay. The Minnesota offense reached a new low on Sunday by running only 44 plays for 145 yards, which included a brutal four total yards in the entire second half. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy completed 12 passes for 89 yards and threw two more interceptions without a touchdown. Addison was never a factor as Minnesota attempted to control the game on the ground, but fell behind and saw the Green Bay pass rush overwhelm the offensive line for five sacks. Managers have now seen a month straight of little performance from Addison, whose Vikings are at Seattle next week.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Nov 23 3:10pm CT
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 12 contest against the New England Patriots. Higgins exited in the fourth quarter after his head hit the turf while attempting to catch a pass. He was taken to the locker room for evaluation and quickly ruled out. The 26-year-old finishes the game with six targets, five catches, and 31 receiving yards. Cincinnati finds itself very short-staffed on offense with Joe Burrow (foot) on IR, Ja'Marr Chase suspended, Tahj Brooks (concussion) ruled out, and now Higgins sidelined. Andrei Iosivas, Mitch Tinsley, and Charlie Jones will operate as the top wide receivers in Joe Flacco's offense for the remainder of Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Ashton Dulin Nov 23 3:10pm CT
Ashton Dulin

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (hamstring) exited during the second half of Sunday's Week 12 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. He is officially listed as questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had one catch for 48 yards, as well as a 40-yard kick return. The 28-year-old hasn't carved out a consistent workload on offense this season, but he had certainly been making an impact in his limited opportunities on Sunday. Anthony Gould will earn more snaps as the Colts' No. 4 receiver with Dulin sidelined, and he'll likely step up as a returner on special teams, too.

From RotoBaller

J.J. McCarthy Nov 23 3:00pm CT
J.J. McCarthy

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy failed to reach 100 yards passing and threw his ninth and 10th interceptions of the season in a humbling loss on Sunday at Green Bay. In total, the second-year quarterback finished 12-for-19 for 87 yards with no touchdowns, and rushed for 10 yards on two carries. The Packers sacked McCarthy five times as the Vikings gained four total yards in the second half. It was the third consecutive rough outing for McCarthy, who is getting his first extended look as a starter. The Vikings attempted to control the game on the ground, but ran just 44 plays and gained 145 total yards. Fantasy managers in Superflex leagues will want to tread cautiously with McCarthy next week at Seattle.

From RotoBaller

Jaydon Blue Nov 23 2:50pm CT
Jaydon Blue

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (coach's decision) and running back Jaydon Blue (coach's decision) are healthy scratches for Sunday's Week 12 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. Both players will be inactive. Tolbert had not previously missed a game this season, but his demotion is not necessarily a surprise, given that his snap share has been below 20% in each of the Cowboys' last three games. He has just 14 catches for 172 yards and one touchdown on offense, plus five kick returns on special teams. Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin should earn more opportunities in his absence. Meanwhile, Blue has been active for just four games during his rookie campaign, averaging 2.95 yards per carry. Dallas is carrying just two running backs (Javonte Williams and Malik Davis) into Sunday's game, as well as fullback Hunter Luepke.

From RotoBaller